April 2009, my mother was visiting me in Texas but she was in a lot of pain and discomfort. Her belly was full of fluid and swollen so much she looked like she was pregnant full term. She couldn't eat much because it made the pain worse.
She had been going to her doctor for months but nothing worked and she was getting progressively worse. When she returned home her docther did more test and she was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer.
She had a hysterectomy and bagan chemo. On September 21, my mom got word that she was cancer free! We all rejoiced.
My family and I went to visit her in October. My mother planned a Tea Pary for my daughter, Toni. We were joined by my grandmother (dad's mom), Aunt Quan (mom's sister), and Sonya (my sister). It was beautiful although my mom was running a fever and feeling tired. When my family and I returned home we got word tht the cancer was back.
There were more surgeries and chemo, but this time the cancer spread, she didn't get better. On April 19, 2010 at 12:30 am she smiled twice and took her last breath. I was by her bedside along with my dad, Sonya, Roy (brother), and Angela (sister).
I keep thinking that the doctor should have caught it sooner and she'd still be here. But the symptoms of ovarian cancer are often common and vague, which makes it difficult to diagnose.
Click the link below to learn more.
MD Anderson Cancer Center
